"What is art about? More precisely, what are my paintings about? I have struggled with this question ever since I started to paint. Having copied famous artists' work, made many still life and figure studies, and having painted for the simple sensual thrill of presenting beauty or ugliness, I am left with the certainty that art is much broader and deeper than these technical accomplishments. For me, art is incomplete if it does not transcend simple depiction of life, and enter the realms of the historian and the social commentator.

My goal is to discover the truth in life, and to portray those hidden aspects boldly, without losing beauty that is seen. Art ought to be from life, and above life. To merely document surfaces is not enough: I want to grasp what is behind, which to me is far more compelling and worthwhile."

Matthew Felix Sun currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. In depicting life frankly and critically in both its visual surfaces and interior aspects, his work reaches toward the realms of history and social commentary. He has exhibited in several national competitions and his work is collected in the US, Canada and China